Author: ateeter

From the Commander (April 2019)

By Pete Krawitz

 

Comrades,

 

I know you haven’t seen much of me over the last few months. I have a good excuse for my absence. I’m delighted and proud to report that Clare and I welcomed our first child (Evelyn Isla Krawitz) into the world on the 23rd of January. Clare and I soon learned that this baby runs our life now. Baby Evelyn is skilled at eating, sleeping, filling diapers and distorting the space-time continuum… Lately, I haven’t been able to figure out what day of the week it is…  I’m still having a hard time believing it’s already April…

 

A big thanks to Sr Vice Commander Joe Tiffany and Jr Vice Commander Joe Fitzgerald for leading the post meetings while I’ve been away. The leadership team has been keeping me updated via phone and email on the latest and greatest. It’s been wonderful to see some new activities and events taking place at the post. One such event was the recent “Shamrock and Shenanigans” on St. Patrick’s day. I hope that we continue to have volunteers step up and coordinate similar activities in the future.

 

I’d also like to congratulate the post on reaching 100% membership for the year. At the time of writing, the database shows our post at 108%. Once again, our top recruiter was Comrade Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger. Thank you, Harold and all of the other recruiters who brought new members into our post this year.

 

Lately, the demands from my career and family have increased exponentially, leaving very little time for other activities, including VFW work. However, I do intend to finish out this term as your commander as there is still some work I plan to complete. One such project I need to see through is the Post 3063 Renewal Study. The house committee and consultants have worked very hard on this project over the last few months, and it’s nearing completion. With that, expect to see me at the Post business meetings once again over the next few months.

 

I look forward to catching up with many of you at our April business meeting.

 

Yours in Comradeship,

-Pete

 

Auxiliary President’s Update (April 2019)

By Donna Limric

 

I would like to introduce myself as the current President of the Auxiliary to Ballard-Eagleson V.F.W. Post #3063. We have a new slate of officers: Senior Vice President Margo Clutter, Treasurer Liz Guncay, and Secretary Suzanne Potts.

 

With your help we can do many things to help our veterans and our community. We have vets in Seattle that are living on the streets, vets in hospitals who need diversion and fun times. Each May our post hosts a Bingo game for patients at the Puget Sound VA hospital.  National Home needs financial support.  Here is the link to to find other programs that need support: https://vfwauxiliary.org/what-we-do/.

 

Most importantly we need members to step up and participate.  Did you notice the word ‘Ladies’ is missing from our name?  Two years ago the membership requirement changed so we now accept men into the Auxiliary with the same eligibility as women.  Sons, brothers, fathers, grandfathers, and husbands of eligible veterans are now welcome into the Auxiliary.  Do know someone who is a spouse, widow, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild or sibling of someone who served their country during a foreign conflict?  Just ask, it can’t hurt.

 

We want individuals who are interested in participating in our National and Local Programs: Hospital, Americanism, Community Service, Legislative, Publicity, Scholarship, Sunshine and Youth Activities.

 

If you know anyone who is interested in becoming a member of the VFW Auxiliary, please forward my contact information to them.  If you are a member who has not been active in a while, please come see the new and exciting plans that will revitalize this organization.  In May we intend to have an open house and book sale during Ballard Nordic days.

 

The first Thursday of each month is our Auxiliary business meeting at 7:00 pm. Please come learn about the exciting new changes and plans we are making to continue the good work of support for our veterans and our community.  We strive to keep the business to under an hour.

 

I would like to invite you all to come join the 3rd Thursday of each month for the VFW social.

 

Please contact me if you have any questions. I can be reached by phone at 206-852-5434 or e-mail at [email protected]. You may send mail to 2812 NW Market St, Seattle, WA 98107.

 

Mid-Winter Conference 2019 Recap

By Harold Rodenberger

 

Our Mid-Winter Conference was held in Yakima this year on January 11th and 12th. Representing our post were Sr Vice Commander Joe Tiffany, Jr Vice Joe Fitzgerald, Quartermaster Harold Rodenberger, Service Office Leo Potts, Surgeon Tiffany Cavin, Officer of the Day Anthony Rose and Past Commander Nestor Tamayao.

 

On Saturday, there was training for Quartermasters and Service Officers along with the regular business meeting.

 

One highlight of the conference was the presentation of certificates and $100 checks to those posts achieving 100 per cent membership by December 31, 2018. I was proud to see our post represented in this small group.

 

Another highlight was the awards banquet featuring winners of the Voice of Democracy, Patriot’s Pen and Youth Essay contests. Entrants from our post didn’t win at the state level but our Teacher of the year and VOD entries both won at the District level. Our VOD winner, Kate Cavanaugh, read her essay during the December business meeting and received a standing ovation. Her essay is posted on our website at http://vfwseattle.org/index.php/2019/01/31/voice-of-democracy-winners-essay-why-my-vote-matters/.

Post Members Build Community, Raise Money with Stew & Music

 

S&S Band
Post supporters listen to one of the bands and enjoy eating stew.

Comrades Potts and Tiffany organized and held two fundraisers at the post Mar. 16, 2019. The first fundraiser was an Irish stew feast that included game hunted by Potts in Texas. Chef Kay and her team of volunteers cooked the stew and fixings. Proceeds from the stew feast were to benefit a group of veterans traveling to Washington, D.C. in May.

 

The second fundraiser, aptly called Shamrocks & Shenanigans, featured three bands. Proceeds from the concerts benefited Post 3063’s Relief Fund, which benefits a variety of causes for local veterans in need. Overall the events were a success not only for raising money, but bringing members of the community together for a couple of good causes.